Colossal Biosciences Engineers 'Woolly Mice' in Step Toward Mammoth De-Extinction

The genetically modified mice exhibit mammoth-like traits, marking progress in efforts to recreate a cold-tolerant elephant by 2028.

Colossal Biosciences has created genetically modified mice with traits such as woolly fur and enhanced fat metabolism, mimicking characteristics of the extinct woolly mammoth.
The project serves as a proof of concept for the company’s goal of engineering a mammoth-like Asian elephant adapted to cold climates by 2028, though this timeline is considered optimistic by some experts.
Researchers identified and edited specific genes responsible for mammoth traits, using CRISPR and other genome editing tools to test their methods on mice, which have shorter gestation periods than elephants.
The effort is part of Colossal’s broader de-extinction initiative, which also includes plans to revive the dodo and thylacine, while developing technologies with applications in conservation and human healthcare.
Critics question the ecological impact and ethical considerations of de-extincting species, noting uncertainties around the behavior and environmental integration of such engineered animals.